“Florentine Plaster”

The incredible Florentine plaster is an easy, yet gorgeous faux finish technique. Still, after about twenty years, one of the best sellers. FP looks like a multi layer technique, but is not. Production is fast, easy and can not be compared to other textured techniques, due to inexpensive application. Contemporary, modern or electic, take your pick, Florentine Plaster will always be the "talk of the party"

“Croco”

An exquisite crocodile leather look alike faux finish. Designed and created for a famous baseball player. The king size bed, custom made to highlight this faux wall finish. Mediums used: Water Putty, Olive oil, gift-wrap etc.

“Grandeur”

(`granjər,`granˌdyo͝or/) noun: splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style. The dictionary says it all. This grandiose faux finish was created with MM metallic plaster, gold powder and assorted MM metallics.

“There's No Crying in Baseball”

An extremely fast and effective wall glazing finish resembling a baseball. Created with paint only.

“Tuscany”

I found this beautiful faux finish in Florence, Italy in the Orsini Palace.

Welcome to My Home

Hello and Welcome!! My name is Heidi and one of my passion is faux painting. However, there are otherpasions and I live them daily. Take your pick. Interior design, decorating on the shabby side, gardening, herbs, fashion, culture and and last but not least "Style". In my world, the day should have 48 hours and more.

I am here to share some of my adventures with you, because I love to share and teach. I hope that you come by often and stay a while. Thank you for sharing your time with me.
Showing posts with label Tid Bits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tid Bits. Show all posts

Friday, August 5, 2011

Nothing to talk about ..... The Idal Convention

A few days ago, I went to  the yearly decorative art convention in  Hampton Virginia. For me it was a great decision to pay the inexpensive registration fee, hotel cost and other incidentals. Just being with like minded artists inspired me. Beside this, it gave me a chance to see and learn what is going on in our industry.

 Although seeing some of my fellow artists and even a couple of old time students, I missed the educational booth of Modern Masters, and many other exhibitors. The past and the ever so present and exciting "buzz" is gone and lots of familiar faces were absent . We missed Martin Allan Hirsch and his fashion sense, in short..... nothing to talk about. The smoker benches were mostly empty. Naturally, I was there and I was able to entice some fellow smokers to have a seat. There were no cocktail hour  escapades and "deep" conversations. All this made me realize how this convention has decreased in size and participation. That is a shame. This yearly convention is important to all of us. It gives us the chance to get inspired, learn, exchange and much more. 
Discussing the situation with a friend, she told me" it's the sign of the times". I can't accept this, that's too easy and too uncommitted. The convention is our convention. We must support it or pretty soon we will not have a convention and that would be a shame.

I will be at the next convention which is going to be in Reno. I hope that you will be too.

Let's support IDAL and show up!!!

All my best,

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy fourth of July!!!!!

To everyone a " Happy Fourth Of July 2011" 
Although soggy weather my  4th of July spirit can not be dampened. Here in  St. Louis we had to contend with lots of rain, last nights fireworks were cancelled, but I have hope for tonight. Thank you St. Louis.

Being from Europe, I was not familiar with the  4th July celebrations. My first exposure was during my first visit to the United States. Family reunion and the obligatory barbeque come to mind.  Then newly wed, I met my now ex-in laws. What fun it was to meet my in-laws and  all 50 nephews and nieces. Oh.... and the food, absolutely delicious. All new discoveries for my European taste buds. I must tell you, that after the first portion of my mother in-law's potato salad I had it every day and gained 21lbs in three weeks. Not so bad... a pound a day. I had my own special bowl in the fridge and potato salad became my breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have never ever tasted  such delicious potato salad ever since.  

Barbeque was also something new to me. So was "corn on the cow" as I used to call it and of course watermelons. I had seven ears of of corn on the cob and I know that  I must have scared my in-laws with my voracious appetite. I certainly scared my now ex. Maybe I should have not eaten so much.LOL, LOL.

Nowadays, my 2 children are strewn all over the world  and are missed very much. So is the family reunion with all it's trimmings. However, I still have the 4th of July spirit and enjoy my gracious friends barbeques and I do reflect on family values and good times, and enjoy the celebration and the fireworks. All in all 

I am blessed and I  hope that you are too.

Happy Fourth of July

 












 
 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

At Large In Europe - "Her Majesty requests ....

Her Majesty Requests.....
London, England-Imagine, you are in your PJ's, suited up with your favorite colored curlers, coffee in hand and.... making your way to the mail box. In it you find  this
The Queen is calling ......





Embossed with Welsh gold and adorned with the EIIR insignia, this invitation maintains the tradition that began in 1860 with Queen Victoria. Every year Elisabeth II, Queen of England, opens the private gardens at Buckingham Palace hosting her famous tea parties.
For me, this Tea Party is both exciting and a bit intimidating. I want to prepare myself to meet Her Majesty .

 
Naturally, my first thought is which hat I should wear. I love to wear hats and have many of them starting with vintage pill boxes




Next, I will concentrate on a suitable garment. Alas, you can't go wrong with black and white

Now I am set and I and 7999 other invites can relax and have some tea, cucumber sandwiches, scones, slices of cake and last but not least meet Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II.



We will be having.....
  •   Butter drop scones

    • Butter cake fingers
    • Bridge Rolls
    • Fruit tartlets
    • Slices of various cakes






    and of course the obligatory "Maison Lyons" tea,

    a special blend exclusively produced for the Royal household and its famous tea parties.


    At three o'clock the gates open and 8,000 people will be  making their way into the garden. "Garden" is a understatement. The royal garden is a green, manicured Oasis. Replete with century old fauna and wild life. I would suggest that you do not land your helicopter on the grass, as President George Bush did. The deep "H" impression the incident left, was probably not very much appreciated by he royal household. The old English proverb " Manners maketh the man" comes to mind.


    At four o'clock  Her Majesty enters. The Queen is known for her kindness and can carry on quite a funny and humorous conversation. She is very easy to talk to.


    I know I  that I am going  lots of fun and it will be a memory dear to my heart. Hope to see you there. 


    Take care and be safe.










    At Large In Europe - Farmers Market

    Recently I spent 4 months in Europe. Many moons ago, I immigrated to the USA. Since then, America has become my home away from home. I love the American way. However, I did not realize how much I really missed some of the European ways. Things, I was not aware of. Something I did not realize on my previous six week visits.


    One thing I really miss and missed are the European " Wochenmarkt"
    ( Open air Farmers Markets). One possibly can't imagine the abundance of fresh and pesticide free flowers, veggies, breads, cheese etc.
    I miss my obligatory early Saturday morning drive in my little Porsche Cabrio 356, to the local farmers market. Truth be told, I did not miss many Saturdays. Even at that tender young age, Saturdays never came early enough. Nowadays, me and my lil' red truck have to be satisfied with the local nurseries or flower row for fresh flowers. I miss the happy, colorful abundance of the open air market.

    The market is alive.
    • You meet friends and acquaintances.
    • You sample the goodies being offered at almost every stand.
    • It's fun it energizes me.
    • The wares are pesticide free.
    • Most of all the the food is fresh.









    Come spring, the number one offering, the Grüne Soße, a delicious summer dish said to be the favorite of German favorite of German playwright "Goethe",(Green Sauce), is also my favorite spring and summer meal, even so it's not Austrian.


    Well, I must go and fix some Grüne Soße. C'om on over and have some.
    Stay tune, I will give you the recipe in my next post. PROMISE!

    Guten Appetit!




    Tuesday, January 25, 2011

    At Large In Europe

    I have been shopping since days, trying to get some faux painting supplies together...my shopping basket remains empty. Somehow, I knew, that there was a reason, that I mostly create or teach faux painting with anything I can find. Often I use flour, vinegar, coffee, sugar, and gelatin, etc. etc.

    Here in Europe, I am in a "pickle", without aforementioned simple mediums. Although, I love and use some American faux finish products, such as the Modern Master line, Crescent Bronze, Golden and Perfetto, here I must start from scratch; just because, these products are not being sold in Germany. The German faux finish shelves are bare.Where are the beautiful finishes from yesteryear and which I remember so well?







    Yesterday, I was at "OBI", the German Home Depot, trying to "fill my bucket". I did find some wonderful brushes. BTW, I do have a brush fetish! Don't we all?????






    I will continue my search for mediums that I can use creating new and exciting faux finishes. Please stay tune! Until next time..... Servus!! Heidi


    Monday, July 26, 2010

    CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocate - Helping Children

    I consider myself being blessed; consequently the time comes when I am ready to give back to society.


    In progress


    A few days ago, a "CASA",  fund raising project needed an emergency volunteer to faux finish one of the seven playhouses. These darling playhouses will be auctioned/raffled off this week end. I offered my help and was graciously accepted to do a faux finish on the outside of the playhouse. The contractor Tony Chao, interior designer Laureen Wilder, and I decided on a very distressed finish. Lots of peeled paint layers, evidence of the long existence of that old western restaurant. In sweltering heat, heat index 110, Tony and Jimmy the contractors, Laureen and hubby Joe, Mary Hanson and Moe Sturm, the muralists, and I were able to complete the painting touches on this ever so cute playhouse.
    Mary, painting the signage
    Our team had lots of fun, put in hard and exhausting hours and sincerely hope that we were able to help a little bit that "CASA"can continue to exist helping children in need.
    Three Beauties ready to play
    Early on A Saturday Morning



    August 1, 2010

    All the the challenges have been overcome, we can relax, have fun at the Western Night party and be proud that we were able to help CASA. I love to think that my participation will make a difference to a child needing help.Although I don't have all the houses to show here are a few examples. 


    Heidi, completing the "distressed" look

    The General Store- Lots of Trompe l'oeil
    Sold for $3000.00 Thank you so much to the new owners.

    The theater sold for $5000.00 A warm "Thank you" to the buyer





    Tuesday, July 20, 2010

    It's been a while..

    I am back, not totally, but I am feeling a little better. The flu got hold of me and I am trying to get rid of the pneumonia which took over. I am a smoker, consequently my lungs are damaged. I am scared! For the first time I had difficulties to breath. Maybe I needed that wake up call, because I have not touched "the nasties" since two weeks.
    I pray to God that I can quit this time around. I am so addicted!!! Wish me luck and success for this hard journey.


    Being forced to lie in bed I had a lot of time to think. I have a passion for faux painting, business, style and design. My life circulates around my passions and without these I can't live. However, for the blog to be clear and concise, I decided to blog only about these passion and no others.

    Being a faux painter and a faux finish teacher leaves me a lot to report about. 

    Take care all of you. 
    Best Wishes, 

    Heidi

    Wednesday, July 7, 2010

    Monet the Father of Impressionism

    I found a really cool video about Claude Monet, the father  of   Impressionism Claude Monet's Passway in Giverny I hope you'll enjoy.